Geno Smith struggled in Week 2, finishing with an 0-11 mark on passes of 10+ yards and three interceptions as the Raiders fell to the Chargers 20-9. The offense, led by a slow-starting Chip Kelly game plan, stalled in the red zone (1-7) and left fantasy managers questioning Smith’s ceiling after a hot opener in New England. Ashton Jeanty showed flashes but couldn’t spark a consistent ground attack.

The home crowd, Brady in the box and Carroll’s birthday spectacle added narrative spice, while Khalil Mack and Maxx Crosby anchored the defense and Daniel Carlson delivered a 54-yard FG. Herbert and the Chargers closed strong, leaving Las Vegas with more questions than answers about offense and play-calling. Next up, a Bears visit that will test the Raiders’ consistency at Allegiant.

Key fantasy takeaways: bench/limit Geno until he resets, monitor Crosby’s disruptive upside, and keep an eye on the red-zone usage of Bowers and the offense as a whole. Herbert remains a strong fantasy start, with the Chargers’ defense capable of supporting streaming options in tougher matchups.

Week 3 in the AFC West features a tight Denver at Los Angeles showdown with a 2.5-point road line and a 45.5 total, highlighting a split in momentum between the teams. Denver arrives off a sloppy offensive showing and shaky defense, while Los Angeles comes off a convincing win at Las Vegas and appears to be peaking early in 2025. Division familiarity suggests another close, grind-it-out bout where Denver must bring their A-game to stay in range.

Week 3’s fantasy defense slate centers on streaming value and clear starts, led by Green Bay, Seattle, Buffalo, and Indianapolis in Tier 1 with favorable matchups and strong pressure outputs. Expect continued sack-heavy games from these units, plus solid floor from the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Chiefs. Tier 2 adds Vikings, Texans, and Cardinals in matchups that carry swing potential if pass rush and turnover luck align. Tier 3 brings Commanders, Steelers, and Eagles in sturdy, mix-and-match starts. Tier 4-6 caution managers to seek safer streams or deeper-league plays and exploit waiver opportunities.

Key Week 3 takeaways: target defenses with high sack rates and favorable implied game scripts, especially when facing rookie QBs or O-lines with documented struggles. Watch injury reports and quarterback status closely, as even small changes can swing a D/ST’s Week 3 upside. This guide emphasizes tiered rankings, waiver adds, and start/sit decisions to help fantasy managers optimize lineups and shave points off potential losses.

Herbert and a pass-heavy Chargers attack outgained theRaiders in a 20-9 win, underscoring a sharper comfort level in Year 2 under Roman as LA leans into the air game while the offensive line opens tiny run lanes. Johnston erupts with three receiving TDs in two games, signaling a breakout for fantasy managers. On the other sideline, Geno Smith’s risky ball security compounds Vegas’ issues as three picks kill comeback chances. Bowers’ knee and Harbaugh-Carroll coaching duel add layers for Week 3 prep.

The Chargers sit 2-0 atop the AFC West, and the near-flawless defense stifles the Raiders’ offense, paving a clear path to continued fantasy relevance for Herbert and Johnston while highlighting cautions about Raiders’ pass efficiency and injury status ahead of the next matchup with Washington.

Herbert's 2025 debut exploded for 318 yards and three TDs, energizing the Chargers and fueling fantasy hype as Week 2 MNF vs. the Raiders approaches. A pregame moment drew chatter, but his production remains the season's headline. If he sustains this pace, L.A. could seize early control of the AFC West.

Fantasy managers should ride Herbert's high ceiling and the Chargers' efficient rhythm, especially in a matchup that should yield red-zone opportunities. A strong Week 2 would reinforce the case for bold lineup decisions as the division race takes shape.